Ecology Flashcards
_________ defined as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.
One Health
firmly rooted in the science of conventional medicine and additionally recognizes the key importance of external influences (such as nutrition, environment, e.g. exposure to toxins and lifestyle) and internal influences (such as gut bacteria, genetic disposition, allergy, nutritional deficiencies, biochemical disturbances) in causing disease.
Ecological Medicine
contains the combined portions of the planet in which all of life exist, including land, water and atmosphere
Biosphere
the scientific study of interactions between different organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings
Ecology
it consists of all the organisms and the physical environment with which they interact. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows
Ecosystem
All the populations of the different species living and inter-acting in the same ecosystem
Community
any unicellular or multicellular form exhibiting all of the characteristics of life, an individual
Organism
A group of organisms that can breed to produce fully fertile offspring
Species
A group of organism of the same species which live in the same habitat at the same time where they can freely interbreed
Population
The total number of different species in an ecosystem and their relative abundance
Biodiversity
living factors that influence an ecosystem
Biotic
non-living factors that influence an ecosystem
Abiotic
Producers
- Sunlight is the main energy source for life on earth
- Also called autotrophs
- Plants
- plant-like protists (algae)
- Bacteria
- Photosynthesis
- Chemosynthesis
use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and carbohydrates
Photosynthesis
performed by bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates
Chemosynthesis
Consumers
- Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply
- Also called heterotrophs
obtain energy by eating only plants
Herbivores
eat only animals
Carnivores
eat both plants and animals
Omnivores
breaks down dead organic matter
Decomposers
Heterotrophic organisms who ingest dead organic matter. (e.g. earthworms, woodlice, millipedes)
Detritivores
Heterotrophic organisms who secrete digestive enzymes onto dead organism matter and absorb the digested material. (e.g. fungi, bacteria)
Saprotrophs
Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction—from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs (producers) and then to heterotrophs (consumers)
Feeding Interactions
series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten
Food chain
network of food chains within an ecosystem
Food web
Diagram that shows the relative amount of energy or organisms contained within each trophic level of a food chain or web
Ecological Pyramids
shows relative amount of energy available at each trophic level
Energy Pyramid
represents the amount of living organic matter at each trophic level
Biomass Pyramid
only about 10% of the available energy within a trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level
Rule of 10
a series of predictable changes in an environment
Ecological Succession
succession that occurs on the surface where no soil exists
Primary Succession
first species to populate the area
Pioneer Species
following a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil
Secondary Succession
when two organisms of the same or different species attempt to use an ecological resource in the same place at the same time
Competition
involves both the place where an organism lives and the roles that an organism has in its habitat.
Niche
one organism captures and feeds on another organism
Predation
- Predator - one that does the killing
- Prey - one that is the food
any relationship in which two species live closely together
Symbiosis
both species benefit (WIN-WIN)
Mutualism
one member of the association benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. (WIN-0)
Commensalism
one organisms lives on or inside another organism (host) and harms it.
Parasitism
Aquatic biomes:
- Wetlands
- Lakes
- Rivers, streams
- Intertidal zones
- Oceanic pelagic biome
- Coral reefs
- Benthos
occur in neritic zones of warm, tropical water, dominated by cnidarians (corals); very productive, protect land from storms; most are now dying from rise in global temperatures
Coral Reefs
Occurs in benthic zone; diverse, unusual organisms; energy comes not from light but from chemicals released from the magma
Deep-sea vent
Terrestrial biomes:
- Tropical forest
- Savanna
- Desert
- Chaparral
- Temperate grassland
- Temperate deciduous forest
- Coniferous forest
- Tundra
Vertical stratification with trees in canopy blocking light to bottom strata. Many trees covered by epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants).
Tropical Forest
Sparse rainfall (< 30 cm per year), plants and animals adapted for water storage and conservation. Can be either very, very hot, or very cold (e.g. Antarctica)
Desert
Dense, spiny, evergreen shrubs, mild rainy winters; long, hot, dry summers. Periodic fires, some plants require fire for seeds to germinate.
Chaparral
Marked by seasonal drought and fires, and grazing by large animals. Rich habitat for agriculture.
Temperate Grassland (prairie)
Mid-latitudes with moderate amounts of moisture, distinct vertical strata: trees, understory shrubs, herbaceous sub-stratum. Loss of leaves in cold, many animals hibernate or migrate then. Original forests lost from North America by logging and clearing.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Largest terrestial biome on earth, old growth forests rapidly disappearing, usually receives lots of moisture as rain or snow.
Coniferous forest
Permafrost (Permanent frozen ground), bitter cold, high winds and thus no trees. Has 20% of land surface on earth.
Tundra
defined as an applied science that focuses on ecological procedures related to methods of agriculture production. It integrates ecological principles to improve agriculture production.
Agroecology
It is defined as sustainable farming that includes a variety of methods such as extensive or intensive farming, conventional farming, integrated farming, regenerative farming or organic farming, organic agriculture, permaculture, and agroforestry.
Agroecology Farming
It is a social movement that aims to produce food using a sustainable agriculture system.
Agroecology Movement
